
And by the way, the brunette also has no special right to anything, according to the same logic, that he will spew out after what he did (no, we do not forgive such things).

Yes and that's why I have more respect for Hyunwoo for hearing redhead out and letting Iltak know that no matter who he chooses or doesn't choose-- it is his choice. He did not try to be possessive or stop red head from confessing, and he did not try to sway iltak's heart, but instead he took a step back and ultimately said, "you know I like you and he likes you too, but it's your choice". And I respect that. I think the fact that he did not try to sabotage red head's confession shows that he understands that he has no right either, and he is able to reflect and still have dignity as a man to step back and realize Iltak has the power here.

Maybe it makes sense, of course.
But for me - once a predator - always a predator. Zero trust, as you never know what else can trigger him.
And as for me, his behavior is much more disgusting than the redhead's. The redhead was an asshole from the start, the brunette got offended that the guy he likes doesn't want to become a gay bottom for him, and in response to an honest admission of "I need your friendship to be protected" he started to behave worse than the redhead.
And betrayed trust is worse than no trust at all.
But, in any case, this is just an imaginary world, and of course we will get the endgame from the cover, and there is no reason to take it too seriously, so this is just thinking out loud.

What really bothers me: in the red corner is the main character - big, strong healthy, but stupid as fuck and poor, in the blue corner is a cunning evil bastard with terrible amount of money, terrible amount of power and influence and also total control over the psyche of our bottom.
I don't know what circumstances should happen for the red corner to win.
Considering the well-developed world and psychology, yaoi magic won't help here. The big guy has no chance, he can't save the bottom, he can't even become a life preserver for him, because the bottom is rushing to him for an even greater dose of self-destruction.
Damn. When he confessed, my heart cracked a little. But when he said "save me" it completely fucking broke. My poor boy TT at the end of the chapter I just cried.